Skip to main content

Compare any two UK universities

Select any two universities below and we'll generate an instant, data-driven comparison — rankings, salaries, student satisfaction, international community, and more.

U
University of Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

U
University of York

York · QS World #158

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

7/10

Cambridge

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

York

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Cambridge leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary). University of York is ahead on employment, courses, scholarship.

University of Cambridge vs University of York at a glance

University of Cambridge and University of York both teach 48 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Mathematics and Business & Management (General). University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas; University of York offers 532 courses across 82 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £27,500 at University of York: University of York is about £5,390 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £27,250 at University of York: University of York is about £14,050 a year cheaper.

Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 16 and University of York in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £59,500 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, against £35,500 from University of York. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 16 and University of York in 0.

World & National Rankings

Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.

#6
QS World
#158
#3
THE World
#154
#2
Guardian UK
#20
1209
Established
1963
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

University of Cambridge

University of York

92.1%
87.1%

Satisfaction

Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)

£49,800
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

76.6%
80.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.2%
18.6%

International

International student share

336
532

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
3

Scholarships

Number of scholarships

International Community

Where do international students come from?

Top source countries based on official HESA enrolment data. A higher diversity of nationalities often means a richer campus experience.

Cambridge

96 countries · 32.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China28.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States10.3%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇮🇳India4.7%
VS

York

97 countries · 18.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.1%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States5.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.3%
  • 🌐Korea (South)2.2%

Subjects

48 subjects you can study at both

Courses listed at each university in the subject, and the typical (median) international fee a year. Select a count to see the courses.

University of Cambridge

University of York

Also taught at both: Social Policy & Public Policy, Childhood & Youth Studies, History of Art & Design, Economics, General Engineering, Biology, Human Geography & Environment, Management, Education Studies, Linguistics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Media & Film Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Architecture, Genetics & Genomics, Psychology (General), Ancient Languages, Building & Construction, Humanities, Chemical Engineering, Heritage & Conservation, Biochemistry, Business Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Creative Writing, Biotechnology, Information Systems & Data Science, International Development, Civil Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Technology & Logistics.

Only at University of Cambridge

Only at University of York

Fees

What it costs international students

The typical (median) international tuition fee a year across each university's published course fees. Individual courses vary; each course page shows its own fee.

Undergraduate

University of Cambridge
£32,890
University of York
£27,500

University of York is about £5,390 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Cambridge
£41,300
University of York
£27,250

University of York is about £14,050 a year cheaper.

Outcomes

Graduate outcomes by subject

Median graduate salary three years after graduating, and student satisfaction with teaching, across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject. Source: Discover Uni.

University of Cambridge

University of York

  • Computer Science

    £63,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    94%Satisfaction73%

  • Mathematics

    £44,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    94%Satisfaction86%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    No dataSatisfaction91%

  • History

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    95%Satisfaction93%

  • Philosophy

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    £49,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    96%Satisfaction89%

  • Archaeology

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    95%Satisfaction84%

  • Music

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    97%Satisfaction87%

  • English Studies

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    96%Satisfaction89%

  • History of Art & Design

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • Economics

    £59,500Salary (3 years)£35,500
    86%Satisfaction75%

  • General Engineering

    £39,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    87%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 17 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Cambridge

View all scholarships →

University of York

Care Leavers and Estranged Students Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

York Bursary

£1,000

Deadline: N/A

York Futures Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Cambridge vs University of York: common questions

Is University of Cambridge or University of York cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £27,500 at University of York: University of York is about £5,390 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £27,250 at University of York: University of York is about £14,050 a year cheaper. These are medians of the international tuition fees each university publishes for its courses; the fee for a specific course is on its course page.

What subjects can you study at both University of Cambridge and University of York?

Both universities teach 48 subject areas: Computer Science, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, History, Philosophy, Chemistry, Physics, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Archaeology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 36 more.

Is University of Cambridge or University of York better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £63,500 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, and £40,000 from University of York. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at University of Cambridge and 73% at University of York. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Cambridge or University of York offer more courses?

University of York lists 532 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.

What can you study at University of Cambridge but not at University of York?

University of Cambridge teaches 31 subject areas that University of York does not, including Biological Sciences (General), Asian Languages & Studies, Clinical Specialities, Theology & Religious Studies, Anatomy & Pathology, Veterinary Medicine, Celtic Studies, Classical Studies and 23 more.

What can you study at University of York but not at University of Cambridge?

University of York teaches 34 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Physical Geography & Climate, Film Production & Cinematography, Forensic Science, Environmental Sciences, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Liberal Arts, Ecology & Conservation and 26 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

U
University of Cambridge336 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of York532 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses